Tulsa World: Inhofe, Coburn split on funding

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Inhofe, Coburn split on funding
The senators differ on extension of spending for road projects.

KEY PLAYER
Sen. Jim Inhofe: The top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee uses clout for Oklahoma.

By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Published: 11/17/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 11/17/2009 4:20 AM

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe pushed Monday for a longer extension of funds for road projects, but his fellow Oklahoma Republican senator, Tom Coburn, wants to focus on fiscal discipline with a month-to-month approach that would drive up costs for the state.

While Inhofe and Coburn are viewed as two of the more conservative members of the Senate, perhaps nothing divides the pair more than funding for road projects.

Inhofe, as the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, plays a key role in Congress on transportation funding and has used that clout to benefit Oklahoma.

He wants to avoid a series of short-term funding measures that he believes would wreak havoc on the state's road-building plans.

Coburn has carved out a niche in the Senate as one of its hard-line budget hawks.

He clearly views transportation funds as just another area of government spending that needs discipline.

"It's all about choices,'' Coburn said recently about the impact his approach on spending could have on Oklahoma.

"We can either run the country into the ground financially, or we can start doing what we get paid for.''

According to Coburn, that means making tough choices.

"Is it hard on Oklahoma to have to go month to month? Is it hard on Gary Ridley, the head of our Transportation Department, to go month to month? Absolutely,'' he said.

"Is it going to make things cost a little bit more? Yes. Is it worth it in the long run to establish fiscal discipline in Washington? Yes.''

Inhofe said Monday that "I disagree with that'' approach.

In addition to keeping the funding levels below what is needed just to maintain roads, the month-to-month approach would kill any chances of having an aggressive program for states, he said.

"It costs so much more,'' Inhofe said.

"We also are looking at possible lawsuits, breach of contracts, really disarray we are facing in Oklahoma.''

Inhofe said he has joined Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., chairwoman of the key Senate panel, in an effort to avoid repeating the current short-term extensions for road funding.

Oklahoma, he said, already is receiving 33 percent less than what it could be getting.

Inhofe and Boxer are expected to ask Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., for time to schedule a six-month extension.

He conceded that the effort will be targeted by some who say the money is not offset with cuts elsewhere, but he questioned not only that claim, but the sincerity of those who would make it.

"I really believe that most of the people who are objecting to the way we are doing this really don't care about road programs, anyway,'' Inhofe said.

"They are assuming that we go continuously just on CRs (continuing resolutions). Well, that is not our intent.''

Instead, he said, the plan is to have another reauthorization bill, which would replace the law that expired Sept. 30.

That multiyear, $286.4-billion law was passed by Congress in 2005, when Inhofe was chairman of the Senate committee.

Coburn, who was in his first year in the Senate, joined Inhofe in voting for the massive measure.

He explained his vote by saying he was sticking by a commitment he had made, and he said at the time that he didn't regret the vote because Oklahoma needed the highway projects.

Jim Myers (202) 484-1424
jim.myers@tulsaworld.com By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau

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	Report Comment Travelin Man, tulsa (11/17/2009 7:22:22 AM) Inhofe is a minority member of the enviroment and public works,the democtrats are in the majority,thank you.
	Report Comment Davy Crotchety, Tulsa (11/17/2009 7:37:02 AM) I don't follow, Travelin Man. The democrats have nothing to do with this, this is, ONCE AGAIN, an issue between the State of Oklahoma, the US congress, and the delegation from Coburn. This loose nut Coburn is obstructing progress in order to make a point. And, as usual, his political point is costing the taxpayers, not saving anything.
	Report Comment fld11, (11/17/2009 7:54:07 AM) As soon as you folks decide that you've had enough of these clowns and vote them out, things will improve. Until then, it's status quo - one travels the world with his family and friends at taxpayer expense, while the other one spends money like it's going out of style. It's just the good old boy OK way!
	Report Comment Ignatz, A nice place where Democrats hold every office in the County. (11/17/2009 8:02:13 AM) I don't understand. Doesn't Oklahoma have the finest road/highway system in the free world?
	Report Comment Get out of my bidness!, The Republic of the United States of America (11/17/2009 8:02:37 AM) Our federal government has become a Gordian knot of duplicate programs and funding, grants and regulations. Oklahoma got tens of millions in "stimulus funds" for road improvements..are you confident none of those were already funded, that it's all going where it was allegedly intended? Not me.
	Report Comment 007, London (11/17/2009 8:53:10 AM) man coburn just keeps poking the cobra.
	Report Comment Eric, Tulsa (11/17/2009 8:53:37 AM) ... For what its worth...either way, we're driving down that 'road to ruin'. The words "road" and "repair" are synonymous. As long as we have roads with traffic, there will be a need for repairs…and ways to fund them. IMHO, Oklahoma is still backassward in the approach to paying for road repairs. In states like Texas, vehicle fees are assessed by their weight, not value. The logic is that the heavier the vehicle, the more damage it causes to roads. In Oklahoma, we’re penalized for the value of our vehicle. A new “Smart Car”, weighing 1600 pounds, costs hundreds more to license than a two ton 1970 truck. Of course, the obvious solution: more toll roads. ?
	Report Comment 50,000 ft, (11/17/2009 9:26:38 AM) Coburn is just a showboat - likes to be on TV. If he was serious about everyone paying their way, he wouldn't stay in a tax-exempt "religious" house in DC claiming he is a preacher - counselor. He uses a shady scheme to avoid paying taxes, then complains when governments at different levels borrow money during a depression. Truly classless behavior.
	Report Comment DonInTulsa, (11/17/2009 9:44:39 AM) Inhofe and Coburn, the Bert and Ernie of the Senate. No offense Sesame Street...
	Report Comment Eagle 4, Tulsa (11/17/2009 9:58:26 AM) I'm with Tom on this one. They should cut one head off the Medusa, even if it's name is Inhofe.
	Report Comment Ignatz, A nice place where Democrats hold every office in the County. (11/17/2009 10:53:26 AM) calloy, no need to slander those two worthy ancestors.
	Report Comment Get out of my bidness!, The Republic of the United States of America (11/17/2009 10:59:40 AM) James Inhofe and Tom Coburn ran on platforms identical to the way they behave and vote. There's not a hint of inconsistency in either man. I don't know there is another state that can say that about their senators.
	Report Comment mayor_maynot, Tulsa (11/17/2009 11:23:42 AM) Without funding both of these idiots are split.
	Report Comment Oldfatdude, Shàngdu (11/17/2009 12:33:39 PM) If they put their heads together they might wind up with half a brain.
	Report Comment HiTechRedneck, Back40 (11/17/2009 3:53:49 PM) "I really believe that most of the people who are objecting to the way we are doing this really don't care about road programs, anyway,'' Inhofe said. From the comments above, it looks like people do care about road programs.
	Report Comment Bamm-Bamm, Bloomfield (11/17/2009 7:49:08 PM) You folks are spoiled. Can I send you some of our Senators up here? I will trade you Lautenberg and Menendez for Inhofe and Coburn. And for you whiners...there is always Chuck Schumer in NY.
	Report Comment true2form, Grand Lake (11/17/2009 8:06:22 PM) "Inhofe, Coburn split on funding"? Is this the same as the article: "Twins joined at heads successfully separated"
	Report Comment Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/17/2009 8:36:01 PM) Travelin Man said: "Inhofe is a minority member of the enviroment and public works,the democtrats are in the majority,thank you." You're exactly correct. Now, guess who the idiot... who is now the chairperson of this committee is....... ?

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